Historical Villa Santa Croce

A Heritage Villa in Santorini's Highest Village

This 17th-century residence in Pyrgos, one of the oldest fortified villages on Santorini, is set high in the island's interior away from the caldera towns. Restored over eight years, it combines traditional Venetian and Cycladic architecture across several levels, with five double bedrooms, a wood oven, stone-carved staircases, and terraces stepping up to a volcano view.

Inside, antique furniture, lofty cross-vaulted ceilings, and ancient stonework run through rooms that blend Venetian architecture with Cycladic detail. A stone-carved staircase climbs from the ground-floor patio to the terraces above. The five bedrooms hold double beds and sleep up to 10 guests. The two main levels can be used independently, useful for a larger group that wants to spread out.

A stone staircase climbs to a terrace on the second level, then on to a third with a full panorama of Santorini and the volcano, ideal for coffee in the morning and returning for the sunset. A traditional wood oven handles bread and open-air cooking. Below ground, reached through the house, an underground cave holds a heated pool and a jacuzzi.

Layout

This vacation home for rent in Santorini, Greece sleeps up to 10 guests in five double bedrooms. Living spaces, terraces, and the underground cave pool are spread across the levels, linked by stone-carved staircases. The two main levels can be used independently, which suits a group that wants some separation.

• Bedroom 1 — Double

• Bedroom 2 — Double

• Bedroom 3 — Double

• Bedroom 4 — Double

• Bedroom 5 — Double

Experiences

The hosts can arrange experiences on site and around the island: their signature sunset ritual (Santorini wine on the terrace an hour before sunset, live Greek music and poetry, an optional wood-fired dinner), Greek cooking lessons at the wood oven, wine tastings, and spa and wellness sessions including yoga and massage. Further afield they set up guided hikes, sailing, and diving.

Good to know

Santa Croce sits inside the medieval village, a two-minute walk from the center of Pyrgos, and is reached on foot. The nearest parking is a three-minute uphill walk, or six minutes by a gentler path through the village. The house climbs several levels by stone staircase, so it involves stairs. It also hosts events, retreats, corporate gatherings, weddings, and fashion or photo shoots, by arrangement. A car is useful for the caldera towns and beaches.

Amenities & services

Underground cave with heated pool and jacuzzi, multiple terraces, traditional wood oven, concierge and experience planning, spa and wellness services on request

Around

Pyrgos is one of Santorini's most complete medieval villages, a hill of whitewashed houses and churches wrapped around the ruined Castelli fortress, with one of the island's widest views from the top. Good food is a few steps from the door, at Cava Alta, Rosemary, and Franco's Cafe. The island's interior wineries are close, Santorini being an old wine island as much as a beach one, and the Ancient Thera ruins, the Oia sunset, and the dark-sand beaches at Perissa and Kamari are all an easy drive.